ReGear gear guide
Outdoor zip care: clean grit before it becomes a problem
Practical checks to help you choose second-hand gear for your next trip.
Read the guide
What the parts do
The teeth or coil form the closing edges. The slider is the moving part that joins or separates them; the pull tab is what you hold. The fabric strip along each side is the tape. A two-way zip has two sliders so it can open from either end.
Start with the grit
Sand, salt and dirt can make a zip harder to move. Stop pulling if it catches. Check whether lining or another piece of fabric is trapped, and ease it clear without forcing the slider.
GEAR AID recommends opening the zip and gently brushing away loose grit before applying its cleaner. Use a soft brush and follow the item’s care instructions, especially on coated zips.
Choose the right treatment
Use a zip-care product approved for the item and follow its directions. GEAR AID’s cleaner and lubricant is intended for uses including tents and backpacks; its separate solid lubricant is aimed at watertight and airtight zips. Those products are not interchangeable instructions for every piece of gear.
- Remove loose contamination first.
- Apply the compatible product as directed.
- Move the slider gently to distribute it, then wipe away excess.
- Let the item dry as its care label requires before storing.
When cleaning is not enough
Missing teeth, torn tape or a zip that opens behind the slider need a repair assessment. Do not keep tightening or forcing the slider to get through one more trip. A broken tent-door or jacket zip can matter much more once the weather turns.
I would test every main zip before packing, including both sliders on a two-way zip. Open and close it along its full length while the item is empty and relaxed.
What to ask when buying used
Ask for a close-up of any fault and a demonstration of the whole zip operating. A broken pull tab is a different issue from damaged teeth, so get the exact problem described. Include a repair quote in your buying decision rather than assuming lubricant will fix it.
Read next: Choosing a second-hand tent.
Sources and photo credits
Sources checked 5 October 2026.
Photo: Two-way clothing zip detail. 2-wege-reissverschluss.jpg — Rabensteiner. Public domain. Resized for display.
